Redemption in The Desert: Kyle Schwarber goes deep in first game at Chase Field since ACL injury

Redemption in The Desert: Kyle Schwarber goes deep in first game at Chase Field since ACL injury

The last time Kyle Schwarber stepped foot on Chase Field, he was carted off after suffering a gruesome ACL and LCL injury in just the third game of the year that was supposed to end his 2016 season.

We all know what happened though in October, when he made a remarkable comeback six months into his recovery to help the Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in seven games of the World Series and snap a 108-year championship drought.

On Friday, the 24-year-old slugger returned to The Desert for redemption and smoked a solo shot in the top of the sixth inning, guiding the Cubs to an 8-3 victory in their series opener against the Diamondbacks. Alex Avila followed that up with a homer of his own, his second in a Cubs uniform.